Message:I have a 2001 3.9 liter Quad cab. Shortly after I purchased it I noticed that the engine was noisey, especially at low speeds. It sounds like there is a "sewing machine" running under the hood. As I speed up, so does the noise.
My wife has a 3.0 Intrepid and the engine is very smooth. When I asked the dealer about the sound they just dismissed it.
So is the 3.9 engine just noisey, and somthing I should put up with? Or could it be something else?

Message:Yeah, in my experiences it is just noisy. The pulleys are loud and the injector clicking is very loud too. I have just learned to live with it and i dont ever have a problem with it. I think it is normal... this is the second Dak i've had like this.

Message:I also have a strange noise from under my hood on my 3.9L. It's a 97 and it sounds kinda like the belt tensioner. It usually does it when it's warm and i have it in drive
If I slip it into neutral it goes away.

anyone think i can do anything about it. I haven't had anyone look at it. Just sounds like an old clunker when i'm stopped at a traffic light.

Message:And I thought I was the only one. I don't have the sewing machine noise, but I have rather noisy rocker ar clicking and the clicking injectors. I can always tell when it's time to change oil,,,my rocker start sounding off. BTW I run 10w-30 and Fram.

Message:Is it like a "clicking" sound? You said it "speeds" up as you do. My 3.9 (twice now) has had to have the bolts tightened at the manifold (those that connect your tailpipe). They were loose enough to cause a clicking sound.

Message:gentle men heres tha real problem with your trucks it is the timing chain they used very cheap chains in the 3.9 if u buy a timing chain with the optional chain tensioner the noise goes away i promise or i will buy the parts and pay the abor common prob with mopar heres the other issue if you dont change it and it snapps which is very likely the motor is finished.. the good thing about the new chain and tensioner is that you can install it with the cam timing straight up and you get so much low end power it makes you feel like you put a v8 in it.. cloyes makes the chain and tensioner in a kit together and is priced at $190.00 if you have any more questions feel free to ask davam99@yahoo.com ps this priject could be down by yoursefs in 2 hours tops with you basic hand tools plus a harmonic balancer puller ....DAVE

Here is the real problem, Dave. The V6 engine we have in the Dakota is not balanced properly for a V6. Its an older technology engine that has been around since the 60's because its a 318 with the last two cylanders lopped off. The proper piston angle for a V6 to balance would be at 60 degrees, whereas the 3.9 is at 90 degrees, just like its V8 brother.

I have installed a comp cams double roller with tensioner many years ago, probaby like 6 years ago.( holy crap, cant believe i still have that truck) The noisyness of the engine doesnt go away with the new chain, but you dont get the chain slap at the front of the engine that you got before.

Message:I have a 97 Dakota crew cab with 89,000 miles and
i hear a ticking coming from what sounds like the
driver side back part of the engine, now from all
the stuff i researched and read it sounds like its
normal. i could really use some helpful hint or
solutions to fix the problem if there is one or if
it is actually normal thanks